Cookie time

The kids always have a week off of school in October.  One of the activities that I wanted to do with them was decorate sugar cookies.  I loved sitting around the table and laughing together as we shared one of my favorite hobbies.

I was actually super impressed with Sutton's ghost.  He is LOVING art at school and has been drawing tons at home too.

We eventually convinced Chad to come try a few too.  Listening to the kiddos giggle at some of their "cookie fails" was the best part.  I think they have a ways to go before they can ever help me with me cookies. 

Keller did a great Frankenstein!

Here is Sutton with all of his spooky creations -

I made cookies to send to Chad's office to celebrate the 10/15 deadline.  Only accountants and their families care but October 15th is always a happy day at our house because we get Chad back!

Another day I made some cookies for one of our good friend's 30th birthdays.  He loves America, Texas, and my cookies so I hope he loves the dessert at his party!

 

Amber visits!

One of mine and Chad's oldest friends came to visit us in Texas!  Amber was Chad's neighbor growing up and we became friends probably sometime around 14 years old.  She is so easy-going and fun.  I could talk to Amber for hours and we always pick up right where we left off.  Sometimes it seems like we are just teenagers but they have to remind ourselves we have both been married for over 15 years and we have six kids between us!

I tried my best to give her the ultimate Texas experience.  We ate a delicious brunch while watching the UT vs OU football game.  That's a huge rivalry and made for great people watching.  We ate our brunch on a hay bale.  Doesn't get much more country than that!

Later we met up with Jennie and Rob.  After Jennie showed Amber her beautiful house we went to see Mason off for his senior year homecoming.  How are my nieces and nephews getting so old?!

Our next stop was to a bakery that Jennie's friend owns and that Rob built.  

We ended our night with an outdoor Brooks and Dunn cover band concert.

Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of the rest of her stay but we spend hours driving round.  She loves to look at homes as much as I do so I showed her all of my favorites.  We also went to Bu-cee's, got breakfast tacos and my favorite taco joint, and went out to dinner at The Harbor in Rockwall.  Her stay went too fast so now I'm trying to convince her it's time to move to Texas ;)  Love you Amber!
 

What about us?

 I rarely post many updates about Chad and me but I thought I'd share a little about what our day-to-day lives are looking like these days.  I'm basically going to type things as they pop in mind so sorry if this post doesn't really flow -

I've been adjusting to life with all the kids in school.  Sometimes it's great.  Sometimes I feel a little lost.  It's kind of a weird transition.  I love feeling like I have time to tackle the things that have been on the back burner.  However on days I don't have too much on my plate it feels like I'm walking around without a limb.

I have picked up a new hobby to help fill the days when I need a little something.  I'm making customized stainless steel tumblers.  Eventually I'll post some pictures.  I LOVE having an artistic outlet and appreciate Chad being supportive of the time and money it took to get going.  We all have some pretty cool cups these days!

I started working a little more for my boss in Vegas.  I'm so grateful for a flexible boss.  He is going to send me more work when the kids are in school but on any school breaks (or heaven forbid another COVID shutdown) I can go back to the workload I've had the past 5 years.  I like earning a little more money and it fills up the day a little bit for me.  I've worked for my boss for 15 years now!!! He is awesome and I'm so appreciative of the way my job always accommodates whatever is best for our family.

I live in the car.  Older kids = lots of drive time.  It seems like someone always needs to go somewhere.  I try to keep a book in the car so I can make use of that car time to do something I can't always find time for at home.

I started working for Chad a little bit.  They had a temp that used to help out here and there but he recently took a new position.  I offered to help as long as they remembered I have no accounting experience and they decided I was better than nothing. LOL!  I think it's been a good thing on both sides so we will see what happens in the future.

I'm not sure I ever really posted about this but Chad took a new job at the beginning of the year.  It's a smaller company and even though it was a bit of a transition at first, it has been a great job.  He is working less hours and getting more pay than at his last job which is a win on both fronts.  The goal is eventually he will buy out the partners so fingers crossed that all works out.  In the meantime we appreciate having him home a little more.

Chad thoroughly enjoyed live sporting events being back on TV, especially the hockey playoffs.  He cheered the Golden Knights on until they lost to the Dallas Stars and then we cheered the Stars on in the Stanley Cup Championship.

Chad has been working hard on getting sprinkler installed in our front yard so we can have our front landscaping redone.  He tore it out months ago and we have been waiting for it to cool down.  The time has come and we cannot wait to have plants again!

Chad and I play tennis together most Friday mornings.  We have a guy we met at one of the kids' tennis clinics giving us lessons.  He used to be a tennis pro at a country club but now has a different job.  He is awesome and Chad and I have loved being active together.

We love to start our Saturday mornings together by picking up a cup of coffee and driving around the neighborhood.  We chat and drive until we eventually come home and visit on the back patio with the kiddos.  It's by far my favorite way to start the weekend.

Chad and I are also playing in a sand volleyball league.  We played in the summer and had so much fun we decided to sign up for the fall season too.  We always jump at any opportunity to play volleyball together.

I'm sure there is way more but there is at least a little update into our lives!

Horseback Riding

My dad's boss owns a ranch, and my parents offered to take the kiddos out there to go ride horses.  The boys had an absolute blast.  Apparently they all did great and can't wait to go back again!

 

Warriors Football

Vance tried out for the football team at his middle school.  They don't cut any kids but they have three teams: A, B, and C.  Vance was so thrilled when he found out he made the A team.  He is tight end and defensive end apparently.  I don't know tons about those positions but I'm quickly learning the role they play in the game.

I will take my big camera to a game later in the season but I had to snap a few pictures of his first middle school football game.  They played hard and ended with the W (28-0).

We love our Warren Warrior football player! Go #41!

Sutton @ Soccer

Sutton is playing soccer and absolutely loving it.  We got him on a great team with a great coach.  He loves being a Viper and thinks Coach Jason is pretty awesome.  I feel like oftentimes the youngest kid in the family tends to do the activities the older siblings participate in.  Not Sutton.  He LOVES having soccer be "his" thing.

You better believe he brings all that personality to the field.  Haha!

He scores plenty of goals but likes to play defense as well.  He lives for corner kicks and is always the first player back to the circle after a goal is scored.

I just love my sweet soccer kiddo!

Now on to the action shots.  I take lots because the boys like to have them in the yearly books I make for them so sorry for the picture overload!

Way to go Sutton-baby! Stay fierce!